I checked back with the 23 and me site. I found they had new data on the PD area of my sample. It listed the LRRK2 gene and the SNP rs34637584
with a genotype of GG. Can you tell me if this means my PD is likely genetic? My grandmother is from Lebanon. It also says that persons of Middle Eastern descent are 40% more prevalent. Or does this mean that is the area on the gene that they tested the rs34637584 and the corresponding genotype of GG is negative?

Technical Report
Gene or region: LRRK2
SNP: rs34637584
SNP used Genotype Adjusted Odds Ratio*
Jim S rs34637584 GG European: 0.98
Asian: NA (not applicable)

* Odds ratios are reported for all available ethnicities.

Mutations in the LRRK2 gene are one of the most common known genetic causes of Parkinson's disease (PD).

More than 50 variants are known in the LRRK2 gene. Several of these have been associated with PD. This variant reported by 23andMe, rs34637584, also known as the G2019S mutation, is the best-studied LRRK2 SNP related to Parkinson's in individuals with European ancestry.

Parkinson's is a fairly rare disease. The average person has a 1-2% chance of developing the disease during his or her lifetime. The chance that a person with the G2019S mutation will develop Parkinson's is much higher than average and increases with age. One recent study found that people who carry the G2019S mutation have a 28% chance of developing Parkinson's by the age of 59, 51% by the age of 69 and 74% by the age of 79. However, estimates of PD risk due to the G2019S mutation vary greatly. While it is well established that the mutation's effect is very strong, there is no consensus about its exact magnitude.

Of all people with Parkinson's, few have the G2019S mutation, but it is present at high levels in patients from some ethnic groups. Up to 40% of people with PD who are of Arab-Berber ancestry and 20% of Ashkenazi Jewish people with PD have this mutation.

Scientists do not know why only some people with the G2019S mutation get PD. There may be unknown effects due to other genes or environmental factors.

Jim, I checked my 23andme info and found I have the same mutation. As I delved deeper in the website, it said I had a 28% greater chance to get PD by age 59 (I was diagnosed at 51).

Jean

After two samples did not yield any results, I am now waiting for the results from NIH gene testing. So if anyone else gets it back from 23 and me, there is another free option. The NIH only tells you if there is a mutation. otherwise they don't tell you any result of gene testing.


Does anyone know how many samples 23 andMe have now?

paula

I got a call from 23 and me. However, I am still confused and I got the feeling that at this point so are they. They said that the first page, my genetic data says that I have a slightly increased risk 1.8 vs 1.6 for the "normal population". As far as the genome which is what we need to look for, (this is the spot on the chromosome or gene that has the mutation.) She could not tell me if the typing was positive for the PD marker or negative for it. She also did not know if the trait was homozygus or heterozygus nor dominant/recessive. So at this point I know that I have PD, go figure.

Everyone carrys the LRRK2 gene. The question is whether your version is mutated. If you are 'GG' for the rs34637584 SNP in the LRRK2 gene, then you have the 'normal' version of the gene and NOT the mutation linked to PD. If one were 'GA' or 'AA' that would be heterozygous or homozygous, respectively, for the PD-associated mutation.

While 23andMe reports on other PD genetic variants (SNCA, GBA or MAPT) it is important to realize that the service doesn't represent the full set of known potential variants. Remember, SNP analyses in general inform us about common mutations for common diseases. Since PD genetic risk factors are still rare, the SNP chips don't analyze all known PD mutations. So, technically, even being 'negative' on the four variants covered in the service doesn't mean your PD doesn't have a genetic component.

I know that interpreting this data is complex (I just checked this information with one of our PhD's at MJFF). I hope you find this explanation helpful.

Debi

Members of 23andme have been asked for 50 dollars to be allowed to see whether they are more susceptible to Alzheimer's Disease. It's not that simple, but that's the result. They ran the initial analysis with a certain "chip" (no one ever indicates what that is of what equipment it's carried or operated in). Now they have a new "chip" and you have to pay $50 again to have them use that on your sample, PLUS NINE DOLLARS A MONTH. They have less than half the PwP they were hoping for but it looks strange to me to have to pay again to be informed. Of course they have all those samples now.

I just don't get it. They are such nice people. There must be something I'm missing.

Jaye

I reached out to their team and below is Emily's update....best, Debi



My name is Emily Drabant, and I manage the Parkinson's Research Community at 23andMe. We are very grateful to the many people with Parkinson's (now 5,000 and counting!) that have joined the community. We are offering free upgrades to our latest gene chip (v3) for any member of the PD community that biobanked their original sample. There is no subscription requirement. Membership in the PD Research Community includes a free lifetime account - a subscription fee will never be required.

Also, it is not necessary to upgrade to the v3 platform to continue to participate in the Parkinson's Research Community.

To get a free upgrade, please email pd-help@23andme.com and request a discount code.

You can check out the discoveries you helped make possible by visiting www.23andme.com/pd/research_discoveries/. Thank you for being part of this revolutionary effort in the fight against PD!